§ Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Health whether his consultations about the recommendations of the Brain Committee on Drug Addiction have been completed; and what action the Government proposes to take.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonAs stated by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 27th January the Committee's recommendations have been urgently considered in consultation with the General Medical Council and the medical profession. These discussions are not yet complete, but it is clear that a considerable measure of agreement exists with most of the Committee's recommendations. The Government is therefore already taking action on two important recommendations which do not require legislation. Consultation with hospital boards has begun, and will be pressed forward, for the establishment of the proposed special treatment centres for addicts; and the Government intends to set up a standing advisory committee to keep under review the whole problem of drug addiction and is now giving consideration to its constitution and terms of reference. Further study is being given to the other recommendations which would in any event require legislation and which in some cases raise difficult problems of policy and practice, including the proposal to take power for the compulsory detention of addicts undergoing treatment at special treatment centres and the method of enforcing the proposed limitation of the prescribing of certain drugs of addiction.